South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026: 258 Posts Announced, Check Eligibility

South Western Railways Announces 258 Vacancies through GDCE Recruitment 2026

Karnataka: South Western Railway (SWR) has released 258 vacancies through General Departmental Competitive Examination (GDCE) recruitment 2026 for serving railway employees and offered them a chance to apply for various posts in Operating, Engineering, Mechanical and Signal and Telecommunications Departments. Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), South Western Railway, notified the recruitment on 28th October 2026 as Notification No. 01/2026 (GDCE). Goods Train Manager (earlier Goods Guard) and Junior Engineer (JE) posts have been notified for recruitment.

The online application will be available from 9th November 2026 and interested candidates can apply through the official website of South Western Railway by 8th December 2026 11.59 PM. Unlike other open-market recruitment process, the South Western Railway GDCE notification 2026 is exclusively for the regular serving employees of South Western Railway and Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka (RWF/YNK). The selection process will consist of Computer Based Test (CBT) and then Medical examinations, followed by Document verification.

South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates must note the following dates as mentioned in the official notification.

Exam dates and e-admit card details will be shared via registered mobile number and email address. It will also be displayed on RRC/SWR website.

Eligibility Criteria for South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026

The recruitment is open to regular employees working in the divisions, units, workshops & headquarter of South Western Railway and Rail Wheel Factory Yelahanka. However, the following employees are not eligible to apply: RPF/RPSF employees, Law Assistants, Catering Inspectors and Accounts Cadre employees.

Employees working below the pay level of the advertised posts can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria. Employees working at the same pay level can apply for non-safety category posts. Eligible PwBD employees can apply for relevant posts as per medical and eligibility criteria.

Age Limit for SWR GDCE 2026

The upper age limits are as follows:

The notification also states the following date of birth criteria. Reserved Category candidates will not be given any relaxation for unreserved vacancies.

Educational & Medical Criteria

Candidates must have the required educational/technical qualification on the date of notification. Higher qualifications will be considered wherever applicable.

Candidates should refer to the detailed table of educational criteria in the official notification to ensure their diploma/degree is accepted.

SWR GDCE Recruitment 2026 Selection Process & Exam Pattern

The selection process includes the following stages:

For Goods Train Manager:

• Examination duration: 90 minutes.
• Total questions: 100.
• General Awareness: 40 questions.
• Mathematics: 30 questions.
• General Intelligence and Reasoning: 30 questions.
• Total marks: 100.

For Junior Engineer posts:

• Examination duration: 120 minutes.
• Total questions: 150.
• General Awareness: 15 questions.
• Physics and Chemistry: 15 questions.
• Basics of Computers and Applications: 15 questions.
• Environment and Pollution Control: 10 questions.
• Technical Abilities: 100 questions.
• Total marks: 150.All questions will be objective type. One third of the marks allocated to each question will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Candidates must score a minimum of 40% for UR, 30% for OBC, 30% for SC & 25% for ST. Final selection will be based on merit and meeting the required recruitment criteria.

How To Apply for South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

Eligible employees can apply online via the official RRC South Western Railway website.

• Go to the Offcial Website Of the South Western Railways.
• Click on the GDCE Recruitment 2026 link.
• Read through the official notification and application guidelines.
• Fill in the online application form with the required employee and personal details.
• Upload the required photograph, signature and educational qualification documents.
• Carefully review your application.
• Submit your application and keep a copy.

There is no application fee. Candidates should only apply once and complete the application before 8th December 2026 at 11.59 PM. The exam centre details and e-admit cards will be available on the official website. Employees should regularly check their registered email and mobile number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the total number of vacancies available in South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

A total of 258 vacancies have been announced including 247 vacancies of Goods Train Managers and 11 Junior Engineer vacancies in different Departments.

Q2. What is the notification date for South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

South Western Railway’s Goods Train Cadre & Engineer (GDCE) Notification No.01/2026 was published on 28th October, 2026.

Q3. When the online application process for SWR GDCE Recruitment 2026 start?

The online application process will begin on 9th November, 2026.

Q4. What is the last date to apply for South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

The last date for submission of online applications is 8th December, 2026 up to 11:59 PM.

Q5. Who are eligible to apply for South Western Railway GDCE Recruitment 2026?

Eligible regular serving employees of South Western Railway and Rail Wheel Factory (Yelahanka), are eligible for this recruitment as per the conditions of notification.

Q6. What is the application fee for SWR GDCE Recruitment 2026?

There will be no application fee. The notification mentions application fee as Nil.

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